The NFL Playoffs are back in 2026 with a full lineup of exciting matchups. Fans across the country are getting ready for the biggest weeks in football. This year’s playoff format sticks to the 14-team setup. Seven teams from each conference will compete for a spot in Super Bowl LX.
This guide gives you everything you need to know. You’ll find key playoff dates, the full schedule by round, the current playoff bracket, and how the format works. We also cover projected matchups and which teams are expected to stand out this year.
Stay updated with the latest playoff picture as the road to Santa Clara begins.
Key Dates for the 2026 NFL Playoffs
The NFL regular season ends on Sunday, January 4, 2026. Right after that, the playoff race begins. Here are the important dates:
- Wild Card Weekend: Takes place from January 10 to January 12, 2026. It covers three days—Saturday, Sunday, and Monday.
- Divisional Round: Set for January 17 and 18, 2026. Four teams in each conference will remain by this stage.
- Conference Championship Games: Both the AFC and NFC title games are scheduled for Sunday, January 25, 2026.
- Super Bowl LX: The Super Bowl kicks off on Sunday, February 8, 2026, at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California.
Each round is packed with action and sets the stage for the next. The road to the Super Bowl moves fast. Fans and teams must stay ready.
Full 2026 NFL Playoff Schedule
Each round includes set time slots. The official matchups will be updated after the regular season ends. Here’s how the schedule looks:
| DATE | ROUND | MATCHUP | TIME (ET) | TV CHANNEL |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sat, Jan 10 | Wild Card Round | TBA at TBA | 4:30 PM | Prime Video / CBS / FOX |
| Sat, Jan 10 | Wild Card Round | TBA at TBA | 8:00 PM | Prime Video / CBS / FOX |
| Sun, Jan 11 | Wild Card Round | TBA at TBA | 1:00 PM | Prime Video / CBS / FOX |
| Sun, Jan 11 | Wild Card Round | TBA at TBA | 4:30 PM | Prime Video / CBS / FOX |
| Sun, Jan 11 | Wild Card Round | TBA at TBA | 8:15 PM | NBC / Peacock |
| Mon, Jan 12 | Wild Card Round | TBA at TBA | 8:15 PM | ESPN / ABC |
| Sat, Jan 17 | Divisional Round | TBA at TBA | 4:30 PM | TBA |
| Sat, Jan 17 | Divisional Round | TBA at TBA | 8:15 PM | TBA |
| Sun, Jan 18 | Divisional Round | TBA at TBA | 3:00 PM | TBA |
| Sun, Jan 18 | Divisional Round | TBA at TBA | 6:30 PM | TBA |
| Sun, Jan 25 | AFC Championship | AFC Team at AFC Team | 3:00 PM | CBS / Paramount+ |
| Sun, Jan 25 | NFC Championship | NFC Team at NFC Team | 6:30 PM | FOX |
| Sun, Feb 8 | Super Bowl LX | AFC Champ vs NFC Champ | 6:30 PM | NBC / Peacock |
Also Check: Where to Watch Super Bowl 2026?
2026 NFL Playoff Bracket
The NFL Playoffs follow a single-elimination format. Fourteen teams qualify—seven from the AFC and seven from the NFC. Each conference sends four division winners and three wild card teams.
The No. 1 seed in each conference gets a first-round bye. The rest of the teams face off in the Wild Card round. Winners advance to the Divisional Round. From there, the top teams battle in the Conference Championships. The two winners move on to the Super Bowl.
AFC Playoff Bracket
| Seed | Team | Round |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | AFC #1 (Bye) | Divisional |
| 2 | AFC #2 vs #7 | Wild Card |
| 3 | AFC #3 vs #6 | Wild Card |
| 4 | AFC #4 vs #5 | Wild Card |
NFC Playoff Bracket
| Seed | Team | Round |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | NFC #1 (Bye) | Divisional |
| 2 | NFC #2 vs #7 | Wild Card |
| 3 | NFC #3 vs #6 | Wild Card |
| 4 | NFC #4 vs #5 | Wild Card |
After the Wild Card games, the highest seed plays the lowest remaining seed. The winners move forward until one team from each conference reaches Super Bowl LX.
Current NFL Playoff Picture
Week 14 is in the books, and the playoff race is taking shape across both conferences. Some teams have nearly locked up their spots, while others are fighting tooth and nail for the final wild-card berths.
Projected AFC Playoff Seeds
| Seed | Team | Record |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Denver Broncos | 11-2 |
| 2 | New England Patriots | 11-2 |
| 3 | Jacksonville Jaguars | 9-4 |
| 4 | Pittsburgh Steelers | 7-6 |
| 5 | Los Angeles Chargers | 9-4 |
| 6 | Buffalo Bills | 9-4 |
| 7 | Houston Texans | 8-5 |
Projected NFC Playoff Seeds
| Seed | Team | Record |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Los Angeles Rams | 10-3 |
| 2 | Green Bay Packers | 9-3-1 |
| 3 | Philadelphia Eagles | 8-5 |
| 4 | Tampa Bay Buccaneers | 7-6 |
| 5 | Seattle Seahawks | 10-3 |
| 6 | San Francisco 49ers | 9-4 |
| 7 | Chicago Bears | 9-4 |
Who’s In Control?
Denver and New England have separated themselves in the AFC at 11-2. Both teams are virtual locks for the playoffs and battling for the top seed and that crucial first-round bye. Over in the NFC, the Rams hold the top spot at 10-3, but Seattle is right there with them at 10-3. Green Bay sits at 9-3-1 and has positioned itself well for a top-two finish.
The Wild Card Battle
The most interesting races are happening in the middle of the pack. In the AFC, three teams at 9-4 (Jaguars, Chargers, Bills) are jockeying for seeding, while Houston at 8-5 holds the seventh spot. Just outside looking in are Indianapolis (8-5) and Baltimore (6-7), who still have a shot if they can string together wins.
The NFC wild card picture is even messier. San Francisco (9-4) and Chicago (9-4) currently hold wild card spots, but Detroit (8-5) is right behind them. Carolina (7-6) and Dallas (6-6-1) are on the fringe and need help to get in.
Who’s Out?
The Jets, Browns, Raiders, and Titans have been eliminated in the AFC. In the NFC, the Falcons, Cardinals, Saints, Commanders, and Giants won’t be playing in January.
What’s Next?
The next few weeks will determine division winners and playoff seeding. Watch for head-to-head matchups between contenders and any upsets that could shake up the standings. Teams on the bubble need to win out, while division leaders are trying to secure home-field advantage.
NFL Playoff Format & Bracket Rules
The NFL playoff format is simple but competitive. Each conference, AFC and NFC, sends seven teams. That includes four division winners and three wild card teams.
How Seeding Works
- Teams are ranked 1 through 7 based on their regular season records.
- Division winners take the top four seeds.
- The next three best records get wild card spots (seeds 5 to 7).
- Tiebreakers include head-to-head record, conference record, and strength of victory.
First-Round Bye
Only the No. 1 seed in each conference gets a bye in the Wild Card round. This team also gets home-field advantage throughout the conference playoffs.
Matchups by Round
- Wild Card Round:
- Seed 2 vs Seed 7
- Seed 3 vs Seed 6
- Seed 4 vs Seed 5
- Divisional Round:
- The No. 1 seed plays the lowest remaining seed
- Other two winners face each other
- Conference Championships:
- Winners of the Divisional Round meet for the AFC and NFC titles
- Super Bowl:
- The two conference champions face off in the final
Each game is single elimination. One loss ends the team’s season. That’s what makes every snap, every drive, and every decision so important during the postseason.
NFL Playoffs 2026: All You Need to Know
How many playoff games are there in total?
There are 13 playoff games in total. It starts with 6 games in the Wild Card round, then 4 games in the Divisional round, followed by 2 Conference Championship games, and ends with 1 Super Bowl.
Can two teams from the same division play in the Super Bowl?
No. Teams from the same division can meet in the Conference Championship, but the Super Bowl always features one team from the AFC and one from the NFC.
Do teams get reseeded after each round?
Yes. In each conference, the highest seed always plays the lowest remaining seed in the Divisional Round. This helps the top seed maintain its advantage.
Can I stream the NFL Playoffs online?
Yes. Playoff games are available through Peacock, Paramount+, ESPN+, and NFL+ (for mobile). Major streaming platforms like YouTube TV, Hulu + Live TV, and FuboTV also carry the games.
What happens if a playoff game ends in a tie?
Playoff games use overtime rules. Each team must get a chance to possess the ball unless a touchdown is scored on the first drive. Overtime continues until a winner is decided.
Where can I download a printable NFL playoff bracket?
You can get a printable bracket from the NFL Playoff Pass website once the matchups are confirmed. It also offers blank or filled-in PDF brackets.